Coworking in Singapore? Here Are the Dos and Don’ts You Need
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
Leases on a month-to-month basis with no commitment, fully serviced and furnished ready-to-move-in offices, a friendly receptionist to take care of office needs, and being part of an engaging community with lots of events—sounds too good to be true, right? Yet these are only a few perks you get with flexible offices in Singapore and across the globe.
Indeed, for many companies, whether startups or large enterprises, coworking spaces are a natural choice due to their flexible nature of leases with minimal risk involved compared to the unpredictable cost of traditional offices.
Given this, it’s essential to understand the key caveats and must-dos when renting a coworking space in Singapore. Here are our main considerations:
Don’ts:
Sign up for an office without comparing options
There are 30 operators and over 200 coworking spaces in Singapore. All cater to different needs, from cost-effective to premium, community-focused to design-centric offices. There is no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to coworking spaces, and it is important to view as many options as possible to gauge what works best for you. Our team can save you time with a free consultation to understand your requirements and propose relevant office options.
Assume downgrading is always possible
This is the most common misconception about flex leases. Tenants assume they can downgrade their office anytime, but in reality, this is possible only if you are on a month-to-month lease or your initial commitment is over and you are making a renewal decision.
During the initial commitment—let’s say you commit to 24 months—the office value cannot be downgraded, but you can move to a larger office or the same size at a different location. Still much more flexible than traditional offices, but the monthly rental cannot be reduced.
That’s why our recommendation is a 12-month term for optimal results—to get the best price at a relatively shorter commitment.
Go for the cheapest option just for the sake of price
Pricing in coworking spaces in Singapore can be complicated. While most places are marketed as all-inclusive, there are actually some additional costs that may arise. Some operators are indeed all-inclusive, and it is very rare to see an additional charge in your monthly bill apart from the agreed recurring rental. Yet some spaces, especially very low-cost ones, can charge for small things that add up—like coffee and tea, no meeting room credits, no printing credits, or even internet at extra cost. Having an advisor like us next to you will save trouble later on.
Agree with open-ended exit fees
Coworking spaces do not charge reinstatement fees unlike traditional offices, which can cost tens of thousands. However, they may still charge a small exit fee just to cover cleaning of the room. This fee should be clearly agreed upfront and written in the agreement. If none, that should also be written for future clarity.
What we see in the market is that some companies don’t think about this and sign agreements with an open-ended clause like “An exit fee shall be charged upon vacating the premises.” This is like signing an unfilled cheque. It should be clearly stated and agreed in advance to prevent any disappointment when you exit the location. Transparent options will specify either a per sqm price or a total price.
Dos:
Test the internet speed
Visit the location and test the speed. Most locations in Singapore won’t compromise on internet speed as this is such a basic facility. However, to be sure, it’s always recommended to test it before you sign—especially if your business requires advanced IT solutions or high speed.
Ask about centre occupancy
Coworking space occupancy tells more than just a number. Is it 90% occupied within 1 year of opening, or 40% occupied when the location just opened last month? These numbers show demand—it’s not an easy feat to fill almost half a location in a month. On the less fortunate scenario, 60% occupancy despite 2 years since launch may indicate retention issues, whether operational or wrong pricing.
Centre occupancy tells how good the service is, how right the pricing is, and more. Lastly, it gives you a sense of how much you can negotiate—if a location is less occupied, there’s more room to get a better price.
Check company names in the directory
You don’t want to be in a location where everyone wears suits and ties if your team culture is more casual—or vice versa. Simply put, coworking spaces by brand resonate with different audiences. This has nothing to do with price; it’s about preference.
Some formal spaces can be very affordable, while more casual locations can be on the premium side. A good example is Corporate Serviced Offices offering formal environments at lower prices, while spaces like WeWork at 21 Collyer Quay, design-wise, are more casual but offer amazing facilities like wellness studios, large event spaces, barista bars, and more—so they are not low-cost options.
Get professional help when searching for a coworking space
Coworking spaces in Singapore are well known, however coworking space advisors are not! Most people go through the hassle on their own, while advisors like us offer a FREE service to find your ideal office. We search, shortlist, book viewings, and negotiate the best terms for you—all at no cost. You also deal with a single point of contact instead of multiple people sending proposals.
These are our points when searching for a coworking space in Singapore, and we hope this helps anyone who needs it. If you need someone to handle the difficult part for you, we are here to help! Please don't hesitate to contact us at +65 8043 6481 or via email at singapore@oflexco.com. We offer complimentary consultations and would be delighted to arrange a tour for you.
